How To Save A Landmark

June 11, 1985

The long campaign to save the Chicago Theatre appears headed for a happy ending, leaving a few valuable lessons in its wake.

First, it takes a strong public-private partnership to make this sort of endeavor succeed. The Landmarks Preservation Council, cultural leaders, private investors, Mayor Washington`s planning staff, Gov. Thompson, Rep. Dan Rostenkowski--all pulled together on behalf of the Chicago. Their cooperative effort helped persuade the federal government to and contribute $2.5 million toward renovation.

Second, the mayor`s political opponents can be effective players, too, when they choose constructive rather than obstructionist roles. It was Ald. Edward Burke who forced the administration to press on with a Chicago Theatre salvage plan when the whole effort was on the verge of collapse last summer.

Finally, it`s a lot easier to save an architectural gem when preservation plans include a productive second life. Marshall Holleb, the lawyer who heads the group that will buy the Chicago, made certain it could be put to good use before he sought financial support. He found a manager with experience in bringing top-quality live entertainment to restored movie palaces and he assembled plans for converting the Chicago`s adjacent building into restaurants, shops and small cinemas.

Ald. Burke and his city council allies seem pleased with Marshall Holleb`s work in salvaging the Chicago. So why do they persist in blocking his appointment to the city plan commission? Mayor Washington nominated him almost two years ago.